Okay, here is the next chapter - I know someone out there (looking at you, lol) Who's eager to read a new chapter, and here I am doing as asked.

Kinda introducing more characters who I like as minor characters for now who will be part of the Elemental War arcs, hope you all like it and enjoy reading it.

Mid-1517

Land of Waves

"March!"

On Foster's orders, the new battalion of Foreign Legionnaires was marching in order through the bridge that was captured nearly a year ago, with now regular traffic of trucks moving back and forth.

As Naruto was leading the men crossing the bridge, they watched as supplies were being driven in from the harbors into the Land of Fire, while trucks coming from the opposite direction were bringing men - who were coming from the front. Marines, Expeditionary, volunteers, conscripts. With men with bandages visible on them, showing the wounds they had. Some of them were watching the new arrivals and noticed who they were.

"Isn't that Captain Uzumaki?"

"Yeah, the Legion."

"Are those Fishmen?"

"Ugh…"

The comments were short while they were driving past the marching men, but it was loud enough for the Legionnaires to hear, with some even having looks of discomfort.

"Do not pay attention to them, men." Foster ordered as he led them, "Keep that frustration boiling for the front. There you can show them what you're worth."

As they crossed the bridge, they were greeted by a group of men in various uniforms. These men were stationed at the train tracks, set up by the World Government for easier transportation to the front lines. A train station loomed ahead, and two dark green-uniformed men noticed their arrival

"Holy shit, it's the Foreign Legion!" One said tapping his friend, "You seeing this, Red?"

"Yeah, this is nuts."

"At ease, lads!" Foster told the Legionnaires as they stopped marching, "Wait here." Foster walked up to Naruto, "I am going to see where that train is, sir." Naruto nodded as he watched his second-in-command walk through the crowd of green uniforms while standing out in his khaki brown one.

As he turned to his men, who were standing by themselves, they weren't mingling with the green-uniformed men except for the two who he heard talking, who were astonished to meet the Warlord Jimbei among their midst.

As he did so, Naruto pulled out from his front pocket his pack of cigarettes and lighter, and was about to pull out his lighter-

Naruto tilted his head as he was approached by two men in crisp green uniforms, their ranks denoted by the stripes adorning their sleeves. The taller man carried a drum-magazine Tommy gun, its weight evident as he shifted it on his shoulder. The other, smaller man held a regular-magazine Thompson, his stance rigid and alert. The lieutenant reached into his pocket and pulled out a lighter, offering it to Naruto before asking permission to light his cigarette.

"Mind?" He asked politely.

Naruto nodded and allowed the flickering flame to touch the end of his cigarette, taking a long drag before blowing out the smoke. "Thank you, Lieutenant..." He trailed off, waiting for the man to introduce himself.

"Joseph Turner," The lieutenant saluted him with a smile before turning to the man next to him. "This is my second-in-command, Sergeant William Pierson."

Naruto extended his hand in greeting, but only Turner took it with a firm shake. Pierson stood stiffly beside him, his frown deepening at the sight of Naruto's youthful appearance.

"Nice meeting you both," Naruto said diplomatically.

"Don't mind Pierson," Turner spoke up, sensing the tension between them. "He's just being cautious."

Pierson grunted in response but did not offer his hand in return. "Sergeant William Pierson," He introduced himself curtly. "But call me Sergeant."

"Pierson, show some respect," Turner chided him gently. "He may be young, but he's still a captain."

The sergeant harrumphed but remained silent, eyeing Naruto suspiciously. "Just a kid," He muttered under his breath. "Doesn't even look old enough to drink."

"Believe me, I get that a lot, so I don't mind." Naruto said as he recognized their uniforms now, "You must be the Ballywood regiment that just got shipped in, I suppose?"

"Yes, we are, 1st division, 16th regiment." Lieutenant Turner spoke and noticed the uniform and asked, "You are part of the Alabasta Foreign Legion, correct?"

"That I am." Naruto nodded, "9th Raiders Battalion, Fox Company. Just got back from a month of training."

"Training?" Pierson asked looking at the men, kind of surprised at the sight, "You mean you trained that bunch?"

Referring to the battalion of Legionnaires seen speaking with the two other Ballywood men, somehow they started talking with some others joining in as the tensions lowered but weren't gone for sure as the Fishmen were still cautious.

"Those are my men, just brought in from Fishmen Island." Naruto said to the two officers, stating, "They got through basic training, they'll do okay."

"Kinda far away for some fish to fight," Pierson commented on the diverse group, "You sure?"

Naruto turned to the officer with a raised eyebrow, "Are you trying to insinuate something, sergeant?"

Pierson held his gaze, his expression unreadable. "Just making sure we have the best chance of success, sir." addressing him by rank.

"Well these are my men, and they know what they must do - so I don't care what their gender or race is, they'll prove themselves at the front, I assure you." Naruto told the taller man, with a frown of his own, "Have a problem with that?"

"You willing to give up your life for Fishmen?"

"I'm willing to make sure my men - my people - will be safe." Naruto told him directly with conviction, "I tell you that."

…

"Sargeant Hawkins was right, lieutenant." Pierson said turning to Turner, before turning to Naruto with a half-smirk, "He's no show-off, that's for sure."

*CHUUUUU!*

Then the train arrived with the locomotive carrying several carriages where Foster was hanging out from one of the doors.

"All aboard!"

End Flashback

The Sea Floor

Laying in a pearl-shaped bed, Luffy was slowly beginning to wake up.

"Hey."

"Hey, look."

"I'll look."

"I won't!"

"Maybe I'll look."

"I looked, so what?"

To be encircled by small mermaid girls with cowboy hats, Luffy then fully woke up.

"Hey, he's moving!"

"He moved!"

"He didn't!"

"Maybe he moved."

"He moved, so what?"

Spitting out water from his mouth, Luffy scared away the little mermaids, and it was enlightening news for those around him, Usopp to be the first.

"Yeah, he woke up!" The long-nosed sniper shouted out of relief, holding his arms up.

"Luffy!" Chopper chipped in, just as Luffy sat up straight, showing to be, like the others, wearing not their clothing but instead someone else's. Some shirts and pants. He wore a white one and soon realized he was inside someone's house.

"Where am I?"

"Oh, Luffy-chin!"

Turning around to where the voice was, he saw the lady in a kitchen, carrying a ladle and with the small mermaid girls surrounding her, she was a young grown beautiful girl with pink mermaid scales, longer and curvier, the green-haired girl wore a black t-shirt of design and wore a necklace with beads and a bracelet on her right wrist shaped like flowers. This was Camie who had grown into a fine young lady and was a friend of the Straw Hats.

"I'm glad that you're okay!" Camie asked her friend who finally woke up, "How are you?"

Luffy smiled at Camie, recognizing her after several years.

"You've gotten prettier, Camie-Chan!" Sanji's eyes were filled with hearts as he rushed around at her sight, scaring off the little mermaids who hid behind Camie.

"Yeah, long time no see." Camie responded happily, "I'm glad to see you again."

Just then, Luffy made another realization: "Camie is here— that means…" He threw his hands up with a bigger smile and exclaimed, "We landed on Fishman Island?!"

"Yeah, we did!" Chopper told him, "I've been told we were drowning but some Mermaids rescued us!"

"That's right," Usopp said, "As a matter of fact, we just woke up a couple of minutes ago too."

"This is Camie-Chan's house," Sanji explained while bringing over Luffy's hat to him, "Here's your hat."

Throwing it at Luffy, it landed on his head, "Oh, this is Camie's house." Luffy figured it out.

"I'm sorry." Camie apologized, "I was gonna pick you guys up, but I mistakenly thought you guys were coming a month later."

"Don't worry." Luffy grinned before asking, noticing others were missing, "Where are the others?"

"Well…it looks like we got separated." Chopper broke the news by saying that, wondering, "I wonder if they are okay…"

Luffy turned to Sanji, "Is that so?"

"Yeah," Sanji backed it, "I was following them up to some point, but they were taken somewhere else."

"Well, I'm sure they'll be fine." Luffy said, not worried, "Especially not those other guys."

"Yeah. Even though Bones is useless in the water, they got Robot and Green too. They'll be alright." Sanji agreed in spirit, "For the other blond and his friends, I saw a few of them swimming to the surface and reaching it."

Camie was confused and wanted to ask about when Sanji mentioned, "Uhm, a blond?" She pointed at Sanji, "I thought you were the only blond guy. Got some new crew members?"

"Oh no, you got it wrong, we traveled with some guys," Sanju pointed his thumb at Luffy, "Friends of Luffy I suppose, all in uniforms and their leader is a blond with whiskers," He tried to remember his name, "I think his name was-"

"NARUTO?" Camie dropped her ladle out of shock, "You say Naruto is on this island?"

"Oh, you know Naruto?" Luffy asked with a smirk. "Yeah, he was with us—why? Do you know him?"

Stunned by the news, Camie's face went completely still. The little mermaids noticed her reaction and moved a little away from her. Then she finally screamed,

"AAAAAAH!"

…

A pair of boots trudged across the dry ground of the Sea Forest, just a few meters below the kingdom of Fishman Island. Although this area was outside the island's protective bubble, it was still a peaceful and calm place, bathed in sunlight from Tree Eve. The natural habitat here was home to a variety of fauna, and abandoned shipwrecks were often brought here by the current.

But it was also home to a place somber, a place where Naruto had decided to come as he was walking towards it. The sight of it laid a heavy weight on his heart, and a sigh was released through his mouth with a saddened expression.

It was a graveyard - a military one, where hundreds if not a few thousand of gravestones and crosses were laid for those put to rest, and as he walked, Naruto did the respectful thing by keeping his head low out of respect and his arms crossed behind him, for these were men who died in the Shinobi Continent, Fishmen - men who volunteered, men who he had known.

Men he had led to their early deaths as an officer, and who were among the lucky ones to be buried near their homeland, unlike many others, and the only thing he was able to mutter out….

"I'm sorry…"

As he stepped, he did so slowly and looked at the gravestones, where names were carved. Fathers, sons, brothers, and grandfathers were laid down to their eternal peace. But among them also laid many non-fishmen, who died without a land to return to, being allowed to be rested at the same site with those with whom they fought alongside.

Sad. How in death they were proven to be equal more so than the world allowed them to be alive.

And then he stopped, Naruto looked around at the seemingly endless rows of tombstones as it felt like a sea he was in. Yet it was a comparable small site to his knowledge, yet it did little to make the guilty-ridden expression on Naruto's face turn, as the former Foreign Legion officer took a good hard look and inspected the site.

'Tell me, kid, why did you come here?'

'To pay my respect.'

'From what I can sense you are loathing yourself now. Which is not helpful.'

'Shouldn't I? I'm standing and they are not.'

'That means you care, more so than any officer back in that damned war.'

"I still…fear…'

'That I know.'

The brief conversation ended as Naruto placed his hand on one of the gravestones, cleaned and proper, the name was still visible to read.

Kitajima

Remembering that name got Naruto to wince his eyes. He made his way to another part of the cemetery, where he intended to pay his final respects to a loved one and have a moment of solitude.

Only he wasn't alone as he believed to be, as a person with blonde hair and a white dress had entered the cemetery with a bouquet she was holding, and spotted the young man she hadn't seen in years.

"Naruto?"

…

Meanwhile

"Ah, shit…"

Squeezing and twisting his hat, Foster had finally woken up somewhere, he was on Fishman Island, but he was drenched wet from top to bottom, with his equipment gone for most parts except for his bag, he was busy drying himself however he could. After that, he would try to find the others…

"Hey, you doing alright?"

He asked Nami for clarification. She was drying her clothing, mainly her top, which caused him to look away. She then responded by turning her head around.

"I'm doing alright, thanks for asking," Nami replied, having a small smile, and asked, "Say, you can look if you want."

"No, thank you. I am only interested in one body, that of my girl," Foster politely declined, as he placed his hat back on and checked his boots for any dirt or mud.

Nami's curiosity was piqued, but then she remembered something. "Oh, you have a girlfriend, right?"

"Yes, I-" Foster began before being interrupted by a sudden realization. "Oh, shit!" He frantically searched through his pockets in a panic. "Don't tell me it's lost at sea!"

Observing the young man's frantic search through his belongings, Nami raised an eyebrow before spotting something beside her- a small box that had fallen out of his backpack. She quickly grabbed it and held it up to him.

"Are you looking for this?" she asked.

Foster's panicking face lit up with relief as he spotted the box and snatched it from her hands. He opened it up and let out a sigh of relief.

"Oh, thank goodness! It's still here!" he exclaimed before laying flat on his back and laughing in relief. "Thank you, I appreciate it."

Curiosity getting the best of her, Nami couldn't resist asking about the contents of the small box and was stunned at what it was.

"No way is that-" she trailed off in surprise.

Foster nodded with a smile, confirming her suspicions.

Nami couldn't help but smile and asked, "You and the girl are close?"

Foster's mind continued to race as he spoke, "We had a chance encounter years ago, and we've been in touch ever since. I did see her after Marineford once, but our communication has remained strong."

Nami rarely showed sympathy and offered her advice, saying, "If your relationship is strong, then don't hesitate. You should go for it."

"Thanks." Foster smiled at her, "I appreciate the advice."

Something then happened in the water, something fast was approaching them at high speed, like an animal coming for them, with water splashing aside, this caused both the navigator and the rifleman to spot it.

"Stand back!" Foster reached for his back pocket and cocks out a concealed pistol he then aimed for the water, "Step back!"

Nami just watched as then-

*SPLASH!*

Appearing from the water as it jumped up, it wasn't a predator beast, it was the shipwright Franky himself. Revealing himself to be okay.

"SUPER!"

Landing right behind the two, Franky stood there soaked and wet in ocean water. He turned around, his hair in a mohawk, and saluted, "Hey Nami! I'm glad that you're okay."

"I just thought I was gonna die because of you!" Nami angrily shouted at him before spotting someone in Franky's arms. It was their archeologist.

"Robin!"

Foster puts his pistol away, "Lay her down."

…

Walking up, Robin was surrounded by multiple sides, with a concerned-looking Nami on her left and a neutral-faced Foster on her right.

"Robin."

"Nami?" Robin asked while still lying down. Exhausted from being in the ocean water, she slowly got up, holding her head. "Where are we?"

"Fishman Island, Robin, Fishman Island." Foster said as she got up with the help of Nami, he pulled out his water canteen and offered it, "Here, something else instead of salt water."

Robin accepted the canteen and took a sip before she got it. Then, the Legionaire and the navigator helped her up on her feet. Having indeed landed in the underwater kingdom, they did not know where they were or where the others had ended up.

"Oh, you're up, Robin!" Just then Franky came back after scouting the area and jumped back down to the ground next to them, with Nami thanking him.

"Thanks to you." Robin said and then asked Foster, "Where is Naruto? Your friends?"

"Don't know where they are, miss. Happened to swim your navigator here to safety." Foster nudges his head to Nami, "I think they're fine. So no need to worry."

"And Luffy?" Nami asked the cyborg, "Did you see him and the others?"

"No, I can't find them," Franky had no luck either.

Nami sighed at this dilemma, "We just got together again."

"But there's no need to worry. They wouldn't die so easily." Franky said before turning to the legionnaire, "However I saw two of your palls, the one with the huge rifle - Luca. He's going up ahead."

"Good, I'll go see him then," Foster said as he picked up his backpack and slung it over his shoulders. Turning to the ladies and the cyborg, he added, "I'll see you all later. I need to check on the others to make sure they're alright." With that, Foster began to walk away.

"Oh hey!" Franky threw something at him, "Don't forget this!"

Foster caught the rifle that the cyborg had found and threw it back to him, smirking as he said, "Thanks, I owe you one." Then, he headed into the forest with the rifle slung over his back. Franky went off on his own to search for the Sunny.

This left Robin, the archeologist, and Nami, the navigator, alone in the clearing. They sat down to rest after their rough underwater journey.

"We made it," Nami exhaled deeply with relief as she looked up. "10,000 meters deep and we're still separated."

Robin chuckled, "That seems to be our pattern, but I'm not worried." She looked at Nami and asked directly, "Now that it's just the two of us, can I ask you something?"

"Of course," Nami replied with a smile as she laid back on the ground and looked up at the sky. "You can ask me anything."

"Did you enjoy Naruto's little show in the kitchen?" Robin questioned.

Nami was surprised by the sudden change in topic, and it made her blush as she sat up and furrowed her brow.

"W-What do you mean?"

A sly smile played on her lips. "Don't play coy with me, Nami. I know you were watching, kinda hard when you notice the door being left slightly open."

Nami felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment. She had been completely mesmerized by the sight of Naruto and Robin doing 'it' in the kitchen, causing her to try and verbalize the denial.

"I...I don't know what you're talking about," she stammered.

Robin chuckled, "It's alright. I won't tell anyone. But I do have one more question for you."

Nami braced herself for whatever else Robin had to say. "Go ahead."

"Do you have feelings for him?" Robin asked directly, her eyes searching Nami's face. "I know you two have a history, but he never told me about how a certain tangerine farmer girl and her sister kept sending him a fresh batch each week, so tell me…"

Nami's heart skipped a beat at the question. She indeed had a history with Naruto, but years back, but now that Robin had brought it up, she couldn't deny the flutter in her stomach every time he was around.

After a moment of hesitation, she finally confessed, "I...I can't really say. It was before the war, and he saved my sister and I once...it's hard to put into words."

Robin nodded thoughtfully, "Maybe it's time to try and understand your feelings. Life is too short to deny yourself the possibility of having strong emotions for someone." She stood up and added, "By the way, that does make me curious about something regarding you, Nami."

Nami looked puzzled, "What's that?"

"It's simple," Robin grinned mischievously, "I always assumed you were attracted to women. But perhaps you're also interested in men, like me."

Nami blushed deeply at the suggestion.

"Robin!"

The archeologist's laughter filled the air as the embarrassed navigator tried to deny that she had even heard that from the older woman.

Sea Forest

Naruto stood in front of the Sea Forest cemetery, a haunting reminder of the sacrifices made by fallen warriors. His heart clenched as he gazed at the large pearl-shaped monument, adorned with a statue of a guard Fishman in a Legionnaire uniform.

The engraved names of those lost were like sharp blades, it did not help his case of guilt…

And then she appeared - Queen Otohime, the motherly ruler of the underwater kingdom. Naruto felt a lump form in his throat as he saw her aged face, still wearing the same white clothes from years ago. She too paid her respects to the memorial, her head bowed in solemnity. But it was her words that truly pierced through Naruto's heart.

"It has been years...and yet, not one letter from you," she said softly, disappointment evident in her tone. "What am I going to do with you?" Her hands dropped to her side as she continued, "After all these years...I had expected you to at least keep in touch."

Naruto hung his head in shame, unable to meet her gaze. He had let down the queen, and more importantly, his fallen comrades. The bouquet of roses placed on the memorial seemed like a cruel reminder of his failures.

He whispered, "I'm sorry…-

*SLAP!*

striking Naruto's cheek with a resounding crack. The sound echoes through the silent cemetery, if the dead could react, gasps would be heard.

Naruto barely flinches, accepting the blow as his due. But before he can speak, Otohime's arms encircle him, pulling him into a fierce embrace. Her shoulders shake as tears stream down her face, soaking into Naruto's weathered uniform. She clings to him, her grip betraying both relief and lingering fear.

The queen's voice trembles as she whispers, "You're alive. After all this time..." Her tears flow freely now, "After all these years…"

Naruto remained still, allowing her this release, he could only give a saddening smile to her as he had his bandaged arm around her hip, hugging her back.

"Thank you…Its good to be home once more."

The motherly Otohime couldn't help but let her tears flow when she heard that, having the young man who she knew as a boy had grown into the person he was now, the formerly young happy boy who often did pranks, helped children, was beloved - was now a changed man by events that were out of her control.

"I cannot imagine what you went through…the war on that continent, the newspapers…" Otohime broke the hug and looked up at the grown blond, "The way they treated you, was disgusting."

"Those papers barely managed to get to the surface of what happened," Naruto said to the Queen and gave a dry chuckle, "But I'm doing alright, so that's what counts."

Otohime's gaze fell upon the blond's right arm, her curiosity piqued. With a gentle touch, she laid both of her hands on the bandaged limb, her fingers brushing against the fabric. As she delved deeper, the unmistakable sensation confirmed her suspicions—it was indeed a prosthetic. A wave of disbelief washed over her, causing her to shake her head in a mixture of astonishment and empathy.

She murmured, "So it is true..."

"Marineford, got it when fighting against Akainu," Naruto told her, looking at his replacement arm, "Had been given this prosthetic a few years back thanks to a scientist, with some help from that drunk gambling godmother of mine."

"Don't talk ill about your elders like that, Naruto," Otohime scolded him lightly for that and wiggled her finger at him, "You know better."

"It's true," Naruto smiled at him mentioning it, "She loves to drink and gamble more than me these days. You might know her - Tsunade."

As if her eyes were about to bulge out, Otohime was stunned, "Lady Tsunade? THE Tsunade?"

"Yes, the Legendary Sucker - because of her gambling skills are downright awful-"

"Don't talk like that!" Otohime scolded him again and hit his shoulder, "I know who she is, she's been helpful at the rehabilitation center lately."

Naruto looked at the queen in confusion, "She's here?" And then asked for clarification, "And what rehabilitation center?"

"Yes, you heard me, it's something you need to see…" Otohime smiled at that mention and then grabbed Naruto by his hands, guiding him to follow her, "I promise you, it will help ease your mind."

As she began to guide Naruto away from the towering monument, her grip tightened around his arm, almost as if she were pulling him away from the somber shadows of the cemetery. The sun dipped low in the sky.

The moment they began to leave, the sun shined on the graves of many of these men…their names not forgotten.

Flashback

On the train that was filled with men transferred to the front, its tracks were going across the Land of Fire it having crossed the country with miles going through the land of forests and farm fields to be seen for the passengers, many seeing these lands for the first time, watching through the windows of the carriages they were sitting in.

Naruto however was not new to this, but the sight of the Land of Fire's countryside was as always a sight to be beholden to, as it brought him back old memories of the Legion officer who was sitting by himself in the private quarters reserved for him as he was seen writing something, a letter as he held a pen in hand.

Dear Koala.

You might not receive this letter, but I am again going back to the front, as I have just returned from a month-long recruitment drive on Fishman Island, many of whom were volunteers who gathered to join the fight that even I am right now trying to figure out what purpose it has.

It has been nearly half a year since the failure at Kannabi Bridge, the worst-case scenario of an overstretched assault on the Akatsuki's mainland and base of operations, Amegakure better known as the Village Hidden in the Rain, had failed.

Despite our strong objections, High Command was overruled by those in Mariejois and the Marines. We urged them to wait until logistics caught up and we were adequately prepared for an offensive, but they insisted on an immediate end to the war. This decision cost us countless lives - perhaps you have read about it in the newspapers.

Now we're halfway through the second year of this damned war, and I find myself, not showing it to anyone but you in this letter, struggling to find any meaning in fighting. But my duty, my responsibility to my comrades is what keeps me going - after all, I am now one of the very few of the class of the year 1515 officers to have survived the war at this point as I just found out Captain Li of the Hated 6th and Captain Muzoki from the 8th have both fallen in my absence, leaving only myself and Major Whitehall at the Central Konoha Front. Out of the class of 35 officers, lieutenants, and captains - now only twelve remain. Their deaths weigh heavy on me, but that of Frederick Bishop laid the most on me.

I now return back to my old home, where many of my friends who are outsiders, now lay on their fields, buried or yet recovered, and will have their resting place there.

But I will stay, make sure my men will get out of this hellhole alive, I promise you that - and you know I don't tend to break those promises.

I hope wherever you are, that you will write me back soon, it would help me in a lot of ways.

Be safe,

Naruto.

Finished writing, Naruto laid the letter inside the book, a picture of Koala tucked in between the pages, one he was given to a day prior to his departure from Alabasta, he put it aside as he looked outside and watched as the train went by the countryside further, it being a slight moment of peace as he watched-

*Tick!* *Tick!*

Hearing that sound Naruto turned to the door to see that it was the two Ballywood officers who were there, Turner and Pierson who opened the door, and with Turner asking.

"You mind?" Lieutenant Turner asked up front, "We need to discuss some subjects."

Naruto shook his head and gestured to the empty seats, "Sit."

"Good, because we need to discuss some matters." Pierson entered first with a map he pulled up, "We'd like to go through some of the maps."

"Talk to me," Naruto told him.

Pulling out a map with detailed information on the current front, it showed the locations of units and the lines drawing from the border regions of the Land of Iron to the Land of Sound, going through the western regions of the Land of Fire, bulging around Konoha, all the way down to the southern provinces of the Land of Grass to the coastal areas, showing the frontlines had barely changed, the only thing it had were the new units - new armies that were brought in, including the Ballywood Forces that were transferred in recently.

"So, as you know, the battle of Kannabi bridge was one of the Expeditionary Forces' worst losses in recent history, the Legion's deaths of nearly 1000 men along with their commanders, including Captain Bishop, is one of the worst counts," Pierson said, bringing up the numbers, "The Central front alone is close to 100,000 killed or wounded."

"Don't start with me on that, I was one of the last to be pulled out of the fire." Naruto scowled, "We were tricked. The enemy made it look like an easy win, and instead they pulled a stunt that nearly wiped us out." he sighed as he tried not to think back. "The Germa and Vodka regiments were nearly destroyed, they suffered worst if I can recall."

"Yeah, I heard they flanked both sides and tried to encircle you." Turner said with a slight shudder, "I don't know how you survived." he admitted.

"They didn't just try to surround my guys, they succeeded. We were dead to rights, and if not for those rescue operations, tens of thousands of men would be encircled in cauldrons by Kaido's men, slaughtered like the 8th Battalion." Naruto said clenching a fist in remembering that attempted rescue, "The fact they coerced thousands of bandits into joining in this trap shows just how depraved the Akatsuki's goal is. Having the element of surprise and two of the Emperors' of the Sea…"

"Right, moving on - apologies for bringing that back up to you, Sir." Pierson said, "The Secondary Front which hosts the Big Mom Pirates and those affiliated with her has shown an opening that seems similar, but the gathered intel has proven useful." he said he pointed it out on the map, "Using a recent tactic that in theory should allow us to full break out through the line and rush through on either side, we believe that we could push Big Mom off the mainland and back to sea, and force them to retreat." he told Naruto.

"That's the Southern Front if I may remind you." Naruto said as he pointed out, "Here is where the Marines, alongside the forces of the Kingdom of Rommel and Tajine, stand with their backs to the wall, with them having to survive both Big Mom's forces and the wet marshlands that are in the central areas of the Land of Grass."

"Yes, we know. The only issue-" Turner began only for Naruto to interrupt him, "Is Katakuri." he pointed out where the enemy commander's forces were, directly opposite of the named kingdom's forces, "He is one of the strongest out there. A brilliant tactician from what is told to us, only one other man surpasses him in ability, and that could be perhaps Whitebeard from all we know who isn't part of this war. Thank God. but the Marines, nor the Expeditionary Forces in the south cannot break through his lines, but they also kept the man from advancing."

"I studied Katakuri, he's more dangerous than we initially thought - that's why it's better to keep him busy where he is at." Naruto pointed out to the map, "So the best way to counter him is to distract his ground forces."

"As in?"

"Garp sends in a couple of Marines to handle him for a while, some Vice Admirals, Devil Fruit users, as far I know - but also the support of someone else he didn't mention." Naruto told the officers as he pointed out, "The marshlands, those are better to be used to our advantage, especially when they are the ones attacking our positions, so we can discuss this later. Now for the Northern Front - some good news."

Turner looks confused, "Good news, sir?"

"Germa's troops have broken through to what I have heard," Naruto revealed to them while looking at the map, "Nothing major, but they've been advancing."

The two officers were shocked, glancing at each other before Pierson began, "The Krauts broke through?"

Naruto nodded, cautiously, "Yes, for now. In what I can only describe as an all-out bull rush, they sent every horse, truck, and tank in their possession as well as the full force of their air support, they broke through and shattered the front in one bold attack." he answered.

"How, what did they do?" Turner asked.

"The brass is calling it the Blitz or something, I don't know, and what it essentially boils down to is they sent their entire army into a single point and forced their way through the lines by the sheer overwhelming force that scattered a majority of the enemy forces to the winds." Naruto tried to explain, Germa tactics were complicated in their aims but he kept it short, "They managed to capture some three thousand pirates, bandits, rogue Shinobi, and revolutionaries before turning them over to Ciphor Pol agents."

"How the hell did they accomplish that?" Pierson was not informed of this and looked frankly pissed at this, "That kind of force would require thousands of men and vehicles to even try."

"These Germa Volunteers are as crafty as that former King of theirs, and his children too." Naruto replied as he was told their 'Royal Family' had recently joined in the fighting themselves, for reasons he did not know of. "They however have pushed deep enough that they now are close to the Iron/Stone border, but are running out of fuel and supplies, so they are preparing for a renewed offensive this coming summer, not wanting to waste their opportunity." He pointed out some key targets he was told the Northern Front army group had in interest, "They want to bypass Iwagakure, to then reach the town of Tonika, and then try and flank the Land of Rain to try to assault Ame from up north."

Turner stroked his chin, "Hmm, daring, but also risky."

"That's the consensus, but I'm being instructed to follow this now," Naruto explained to the officers. He pointed down at Konoha, using his index and middle fingers. "We need to act as a diversion for Kaido's 1st and 2nd Army groups, which Shinobi reportedly support from Sunagakure and a rebel faction from Iwa. This force is estimated to be around 10,000 strong, along with an additional 150,000 bandits and pirates who have pledged their allegiance to Kaido, excluding the main force of the Beast Pirates."

"How many has the Konoha Salient got in manpower?" Turner asked looking up, "Including our reinforcements, I mean."

"We've got around 2,000 men on this train from what I've been able to say - and so with Konoha having around perhaps 20,000 Shinobi, the amount of Expeditionary Forces active in the central front is around 75,000 men, including 25,000 of the Foreign Legion."

"Great…" Pierson groaned at the odds, "So we not only got an Emperor to deal with, but also the numbers are clearly against us, with the enemy having twice the numbers, and only evening out with these ninjas. Can it get worse?"

A sound filled the hallway.

"Move it!"

The three officers' conversation halted when the door shut open with the Legionnaire Ace being seen dragged inside by the Warlord Jimbei who brought him in by the arm, and by the looks of the bruised face of the young black-haired East Blue volunteer - he had gotten himself on the bad side of the Fishman.

"Sir, permission to enter?" Jimbei spoke.

"You have my permission," Naruto said, glancing at Turner and Pierson before continuing, "but make sure to return in an hour. We will continue this conversation then." The two saluted and promptly left the room, grabbing their belongings from the table as they went.

As they left, Naruto turned his attention back to Jimbei pushing Ace into the room. He ordered them both to stand at ease, and they relaxed their postures. "What did he do?" he asked, looking at his old friend for an explanation.

Ace tried, "I didn't do-"

"He sucker punched one of the Ballywood volunteers across the face," Jimbei said looking at the troublemaker, "Did so after one of them made an unwanted remark."

Naruto raised his eyebrow, "Unwanted remark?"

"One of them called Gnu a filthy animal," Ace admitted to what his reason was, looking away, "So I…gave him a bit of a lesson."

"Even when it was none of your business, Portgas, and you know that." Jimbei scolded the young private, turning back to Naruto, "What punishment do you wish he will face, Captain?"

Hearing this causes Naruto to look at Ace, "You got into trouble for this?"

Ace did not look up, but nodded, "Yes."

"Captain! Captain!" Running through the hallway, Foster was waving a letter as he handed it over to him, "Telegram, from the Navy HQ - from High Command."

"Give it to me," Naruto told Jimbei and the soon-to-be-punished Ace as he opened the telegram and began reading it, his eyes reading fast in front of the Warlord, who then asked.

"What is it, Captain?"

Naruto narrows his eyes before turning to his three Legionnaires and folding the telegram. "Congratulations, you're part of the new detachment being made."

"Detachment?" Ace spoke out of order, "What detachment?"

"You're now all part of the Firefly Company, meaning you'll be a new assault force - first task, taking back an area that Akatsuki-aligned insurgents have recently taken."

"Which is?"

The Nara Clan Forest."

End Flashback

Once again, they passed through the entrance into the Ryugu Kingdom, this time on foot with Queen Otohime as their guide. Instead of tourist attractions, they walked through the bustling streets of Gyoverly Hills, passing by government buildings and other important structures of the kingdom's administration.

"We're here." Queen Otohime said stopping in front of a gate, looking up and smiling, "This is what I wanted to show you."

Before them stood a towering, pristine white building, its walls shining in the sunlight. Surrounding it was a vast expanse of lush green grass, perfectly manicured and stretching out towards the horizon. It was a hospital, evident from the red cross symbol on the side of the building.

Above the imposing gates, the facility's name glistened in bold letters, announcing its purpose to the world. The air around them was filled with a sense of importance and urgency.

Healing Tales Recovering Center

Naruto turned to the Queen, raising a questioning eyebrow. "Healing Tales? Do I even want to know?"

The Queen snorted. "It's named after your Legion," she replied. "You should be proud of it. It's the only one in the world that combines technologies and teachings from all nations into a single advanced medical center."

"And who is running it currently?" Naruto pressed.

"Let's go inside and you'll see for yourself," Otohime said, taking Naruto by the hand and leading him inside.